The reaction of several league executives was part disgust, part resignation on Wednesday night. So many had predicted this happening, so many suspected that somehow, someway, the Hornets would walk away with Davis. That's the worst part for the NBA; these aren't the railings from the guy sitting at the corner tavern, but the belief of those working within the machinery that something undue happened here, that they suspect it happens all the time under Stern.

The Hornets only had a 13.7% chance of winning the lottery.

This isn't the first controversy involving the NBA's dubious ownership practices. David Stern vetoed a trade last fall that would have sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers — a move that absolutely enraged other executives in the league.

Here's the thing, though: People (fans, at least) would be crying conspiracy theory no matter what!

If the Nets won, they would say it was rigged to give the NBA a foothold in Brooklyn.

If the Kings won, they would say it was rigged to make sure Sacramento agreed to build a new arena.

If the Cavs won, they would say it was recompense for the LeBron James "Decision" fiasco.